Celebrating the Fourth of July… Community finds a variety of events to celebrate Independence Day
Published 6:00 am Monday, July 8, 2019
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Boats were anchored everywhere on Thursday to get a good view of the 19th annual Watauga Lake Fourth of July Boat Parade. Several boats were decked out in the red, white, and blue under a beautiful Independence Day sky.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The 19th annual Watauga Lake Fourth of July Boat Parade drew many participants and spectators on a beauty Independence Day.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders It was a perfect day to celebrate the United States and Independence Day as boaters and spectators alike came out for the 19th annual Watauga Lake Fourth of July Boat Parade. This boat was decked out all over in red, white, and blue.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Isabella Essandra throws a kiss to those in the audience. The kiss proved to be the winning ingredient as Essandra captured the title of Tiny Miss Firecracker in the Little Miss Firecracker pageant held at the Covered Bridge during Independence Day festivities.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Myrlie Belle Fansler was crowned the Wee Miss Firecracker on Thursday during the Little Miss Firecracker pageant held at the Covered Bridge as part of the Independence Day celebration.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Faith Lash definitely had the right gown for the Little Miss Firecracker pageant which was held at the Covered Bridge on Thursday. Lash's personality and gown led to her being named Little Miss Firecracker.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Many boaters spent a lot of time and energy in decking out their boats for the 19th annual Watauga Lake Fourth of July Boat Parade Thursday. Many were very colorful as they showed off their patriotism and love for America.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders From beauty pageants, live music, games, and concessions to a patriotic bike ride, the Covered Bridge was busy on Thursday as these two young ladies await the bike ride.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
To say that this year’s Independence Day celebration in Carter County went off with a bang would be an understatement.
From cookouts, beauty pageants, baseball games, and of course, fireworks, there were many opportunities presented for the community to enjoy celebrating the independence that the United States has enjoyed for over 200 years.
Things kicked off early at the Covered Bridge as the Little Miss Firecracker Beauty Pageant took place with many beautiful young ladies vying for titles in five different categories.
In the Wee Miss Firecracker for ages birth through two years of age, Myrlie Belle Fansler flashed an adorable smile and won the hearts of the judges to win the crown.
The Tiny Miss Firecracker crown for ages 3-5 was won by Isabella Essandra whose blown kisses sealed the deal for the energetic contestant.
In the six to ten-year-old category, Faith Lash whose patriotic dress and showmanship earned the contestant the title of Little Miss Firecracker.
According to the judges, the 11 to 15-year-old competition was the toughest to judge and was very close as Bella Setlock was crowned the Junior Miss Firecracker.
Finally, the Senior Miss Firecracker winner for 2019 was Mary Bracule.
Other events that took place at the Covered Bridge included a patriotic bike parade, inflatables, live music, and concessions — to name a few of the fun things.
Another big event in the county was the 19th annual Fourth of July Boat Parade and a pristine sky and warm temperatures brought boaters and parade watchers out in droves as all the marinas that line the lake was filled.
For those who were looking to have a hamburger or hot dog, those were plentiful as well as many took advantage of the recreational areas to spend the day with family and friends and watch the parade as it passed by.
Many boaters also found coves and places out of the main channel of the lake to wave and shout accolades of approval to all those that took time out to decorate their boats.
The Elizabethton Twins came back to the friendly confines of Northeast Community Credit Union Park and was welcomed by a crowd pushing 1,600 fans as the official attendance was announced at 1,598.
’Betsy didn’t disappoint after coming home from a six-game road trip to send their fans home happy with a 6-2 win and a dandy fireworks display.
Others chose to take in fireworks at Watauga Lake as Watauga Lakeshore Resort and Marina presented a spectacular fireworks show that many took advantage of watching from on the water.
All in all, it was another beautiful Independence Day that signaled some of the final days of vacation season as teachers and students will be heading back to school very soon and others took advantage of an extended holiday weekend.
